BBL|14 is almost here with clubs getting together in the lead-up to the opening games, enabling us to start predicting Round 1 line-ups with injuries, form and availability becoming clearer.
Melbourne Stars
Ins: Tom Curran (Sydney Sixers), Ben Duckett, Hamish McKenzie (Perth Scorchers), Doug Warren, Joe Clarke (Welsh Fire/Nottinghamshire), Peter Siddle (Melbourne Renegades), Adam Milne (overseas replacement player)
Outs: Dan Lawrence, Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim, Nick Larkin (retired), Nathan Coulter-Nile (retired), Liam Dawson, Ollie Stone
Unsigned from BBL|13: Joe Burns, Corey Rocchiccioli, Peter Handscomb
Draft Insights
Draft picks: Ben Duckett, Tom Curran, Usama Mir
Stars T20 high performance manager Clint McKay said: “Duckett is a classy left-hand batter who plays spin really well. We know that spin has been our issue through the middle quite a bit.
“Tom Curran as a pre-signing covers a lot of roles which is great. Usama Mir, he’s got a strike rate bowling at 18, so he’s a massive wicket-taker which again has been our biggest concern over the last couple of years.”
McKay also noted full availability for all three players which was a big part of their decision making.
Squad (18 of 18 signed):
Batsmen: Hilton Cartwright, Campbell Kellaway, Tom Rogers
Wicketkeepers: Sam Harper, Ben Duckett, Joe Clarke (overseas replacement player)
All-rounders: Tom Curran, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Jono Merlo
Bowlers: Scott Boland, Joel Paris, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee, Usama Mir, Hamish McKenzie, Doug Warren, Brody Couch, Adam Milne (overseas replacement player)
Availability Concerns
Glenn Maxwell has been ruled out with his hamstring injury. Imports Ben Duckett (England Test duty) and Usama Mir (Pakistan Champions’ T20 Cup) are unavailable until Rounds 2 and Rounds 3 respectively.
Beau Webster and Scott Boland are both currently with the Aussie Test squad and yet to be released. They may still be released ahead of Sunday’s opener but a decision could come on Friday, leading to a dash from Brisbane to Perth. Boland’s situation is complicated by Josh Hazlewood’s fitness.
Round 1 XI
1 T.Rogers
2 J.Clarke (wk)
3 B.Webster
4 M.Stoinis (c)
5 H.Cartwright
6 J.Merlo
7 T.Curran
8 J.Paris
9 H.McKenzie
10 M.Steketee
11 A.Milne
Import Duckett has opened over the past two seasons in the Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix and that seems his obvious role in this Stars’ line-up alongside Tom Rogers. However, note he’ll miss early due to Test duty so we’ve left him out of the above side, handing that role to replacement player Joe Clarke, likely squeezing out Sam Harper. Clarke, however, is only available for the first 2 games before Duckett arrives.
Last season, the Stars had some success with Beau Webster at 3, followed by Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright but all can play multiple roles. Maxwell, however, will miss games early with a hamstring injury, so we’ve predicted all-rounder Jono Merlo to replace him. He can bat in a variety of roles in the line-up.
Webster was called into the Test squad last week, so keep an eye on if he’s released – which may be decided as late as Friday. If he’s unavailable to the Stars, it could open the door for Sam Harper or Campbell Kellaway to play with a top order role.
Tom Curran’s addition as a genuine all-rounder who can bowl 4 and bat anywhere from 6-8 depending on the situation is a major boost. Spinner Hamish McKenzie could be a smokie at the MCG, while Joel Paris, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee and Brody Couch – buoyed by a WA switch – are all in contention. We’re anticipating a bit of rotation of the Stars quicks with Paris injury prone and Siddle well into veteran status.
Pakistani spinner Usama Mir will miss the Stars’ first 3 games due to competing in the Pakistan Champions’ T20 Cup. Kiwi import Adam Milne has only been signed as his replacement for the first 3 games, so you’d think they use him as much as possible in that period, before he exits. Left-armer Paris should bowl up front.
Scott Boland is likely to be out of action with the Test squad, meaning we’ve left him out. With Mir out, the door is open the door for a spinner like McKenzie or maybe even Doug Warren if conditions suit.
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